Blue Sky Technologies

These technologies are just beginning to emerge. They tend to require a large amount of computing power, a very high-speed Internet connection, or both. However, it is almost certain that these technologies will become practical in the future. Educators at major research institutions are already using these technologies, and their impact is beginning to be felt at the K-12 level as well.

Telepresence

Telepresence refers to interacting at a remote location as if one were physically present. Many of the current applications of telepresence involve controlling scientific instruments at a distance.

Telepresence Group at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Article on Telepresence from Scientific American
Telepresence Microscope at Argonne National Laboratory

Bugscope at the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois allows K-12 students to control a scanning electron microscope from their classroom.

Chickscope also at the Beckman Institute, allows students to use a variety of scientific instruments to monitor the development of baby chicks.

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality refers to a computer-generated environment which appears more or less "real". There are several VR technologies. Some involve head-mounted displays while others use entire rooms (using computer-controlled goggles to generate the 3D effect). Generating a convincing VR effect requires a huge amount of computing power, but as with all such technologies the processing power is becoming cheaper by the day.

Virtual Environments at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois
Collection of Virtual Reality links from the University of Washington
Virtual Reality page at De Montfort University in the U.K.
Bill Sherman's CS397 course page at the University of Illinois